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House leaves Quiboloy’s fate to Senate
The House of Representatives will no longer pursue and implement the warrant of arrest it issued against pastor Apollo Quiboloy after it approved on final reading the bill revoking the franchise of the evangelist’s alleged TV network......»»
Just seven of 116 SUCs offer medicine programs — lawmaker
House Minority Leader Rep. Marcelino Libanan (4PS Partylist) said that Congress should allot more funding to support "highly advanced" SUCs in establishing their own medical schools to subsidize the schooling of aspiring doctors......»»
TikTok facing ban in America; penalized $384 million in Europe
The US House of Reps has passed a bill to ban TikTok unless it cuts ties to Communist China. Chinese parent ByteDance must sell TikTok to another nationality in six months or be shut down......»»
Labor groups cheer Senate’s approval of P100 wage hike bill
Labor groups cheer Senate’s approval of P100 wage hike bill.....»»
Go pushes welfare of entertainment workers
Sen. Bong Go yesterday lauded the approval of Senate Bill 2505, better known as the Eddie Garcia bill, on the third and final reading last Monday......»»
EDITORIAL — ‘Very rotten’
A process has long been in place for the approval of the national budget. Malacañang, through the Department of Budget and Management, submits its proposed national expenditure program to Congress, and both chambers deliberate on the NEP to come up with their respective versions of the budget bill......»»
LGU execs laud passage of Negros Island Region bill
Local government officials in Negros have lauded the approval on second reading of a bill creating the Negros Island Region......»»
The Mavericks Transition: From N.B.A. Team Acquisition to an Expansive Sale
Title: Texas Sports Betting Bill Passes House, Awaits Senate Approval Publication: The Daily Guardian Word Count: 372 In a significant development for sports enthusiasts in.....»»
How nations allow or restrict legal gender change
A small number of countries have made it easier for transgender people to change their legal gender, while other nations have restricted such changes, notably Russia and Pakistan. Here is a snapshot of the situation around the world. Exception, not the rule According to the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), 24 UN member states have legally allowed people to change their gender on the basis of self-identification. In about 40 other countries, the legal and administrative process can take years and may include requirements such as psychiatric diagnosis, hormone treatment, gender confirmation surgery, or even sterilization. Making it easier Argentina has led the way on transgender rights, allowing a change of gender on national ID cards with a simple declaration since 2012. Several Latin American countries have followed suit. Denmark was the first European country in 2014 to allow adults to apply for a gender change without undergoing medical or psychological assessments, with Belgium, Ireland, Malta, Norway, Portugal, and most recently Spain following suit. Since 2017, France has allowed transgender people to change their status on their ID documents without treatment, surgery, or sterilization but they must receive court approval. The issue of trans rights sparked a fierce row in 2022 in Scotland, where parliament passed a bill making it easier for people to self-identify their gender that was sensationally vetoed by London. The German cabinet in August 2023 signed off plans under which Germans will be able to change their name or legal gender by making a simple application to their local registry office. The law still has to go to parliament. Hesitating Sweden, one of the world's most liberal countries, was the first in the world to authorize physical and legal gender reassignment for adults in 1972. But last year it began restricting hormone therapy available for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, such as puberty blockers, citing the need for caution following a strong increase in demand. It also restricted access to mastectomies for teenage girls wanting to transition. Finland in 2020 had already restricted hormone treatment for minors. Making it harder Russia adopted new legislation in July 2023 banning "medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person" and "the state registration of a change of gender without an operation". President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly railed against transgender rights in his speeches. Pakistan's religious judiciary ruled in May that landmark transgender legal protections from 2018 are un-Islamic and therefore void. An appeal is being sought with the Supreme Court. Pakistan continues to recognize the existence of a third gender, neither masculine nor feminine, as do India and Nepal. Restricting gender-affirming treatment, such as puberty blockers for minors, has become a major campaign of US conservatives. Arkansas in 2021 became the first US state to ban physicians and health workers from offering transition-related treatment to transgender minors. A federal judge in June overturned the ban. Around 20 states, including Florida and Texas, have passed similar laws. Anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Hungary has escalated during the rule of Viktor Orban's right-wing government. In May 2020, the country passed a law making it impossible for transgender people to change their name and gender on their ID documents. The post How nations allow or restrict legal gender change appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Better think twice
Just recently, a bill that seeks to promote the use of waste-to-energy technologies has advanced in the Senate after it was reported out for plenary approval......»»
Approval sought for bill prohibiting online lotto betting
The House of Representatives committee on games and amusement has sought the approval of the whole chamber for a proposed bill prohibiting online placing of bets for all lotto games, a system that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had wanted to introduce......»»
Keep the family together
News of the Senators' approval of the divorce bill is a heavy blow to ordinary husbands and wives who work hard daily for the family’s material, emotional and spiritual well-being. .....»»
Internet Transaction Act gets Senate nod on final reading
The Senate approved, on the third and final reading, the proposed Internet Transactions Act, which was also certified urgent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with 20-1-0 votes from the lawmakers. In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Mark Villar, sponsor of the proposed measure, thanked his colleagues for passing the measure during Monday’s plenary session before the month-long congressional break of the chamber. Senate Bill 1846, which is one of the 20 priority bills that the Marcos administration hoped to pass before the end of December this year, seeks to ensure that all goods and services transacted digitally will be as advertised. The bill also ensures that electronic commerce transactions will be reliable, secure, and accessible to all consumers. "Today, we achieved the approval of the ITA on its third reading, a great feat for ITA which has been pending in this chamber since the 18th Congress,” said Villar, who chairs the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship. SB 1846 shall hold digital platforms or e-marketplaces liable, along with the online merchant or retailer, if they fail to perform their responsibilities as laid down in the bill and cause damage to the consumer. The proposed measure sets penalties for e-marketplaces, e-retailers, online merchants, or digital platforms that sell illegal digital products, ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 for the first offense and P500,000 to P1.5 million for the third and subsequent offenses. The bill pushes the establishment of a code of conduct for all companies involved in e-commerce in order to safeguard and advance consumer interests. Villar noted that the bill will “pave the way for the creation” of an e-commerce bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry, which will oversee internet-based activities that presently lack regulation and is tasked to establish and manage an online business registry of all internet merchants. The Internet Transactions Act is also seen to empower the DTI secretary by giving it authority to issue take-down orders that will render digital platforms inaccessible in the country if the goods, services, or digital products advertised are found to be "imminently injurious, unsafe, or dangerous to the public.” The post Internet Transaction Act gets Senate nod on final reading appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed
Migrant workers and senior citizens will soon be able to renew their passports via online processing with the Senate’s approval of the New Philippine Passport Act. The upper chamber on Monday has approved on the third and final reading the Senate Bill 2001, an act providing for a new passport law, repealing for the purpose of Republic Act 8239, which allows senior citizens and migrant workers to renew their passports virtually, without having to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs office. Senator Win Gatchalian said the bill, which was among Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priority measures, would allow Filipinos who lost their passports to request emergency passports that are valid for a year. “Tungkulin ng gobyerno na gawing maayos ang mga dokumento na kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa kanilang maayos na paglalakbay It is the duty of the government to properly prepare the required documents for their smooth travel of our countrymen),” he added. SB 2001 mandates the DFA to work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, in establishing and maintaining an online application portal and an Electronic One-Stop Shop easily accessible on its official website, to ensure convenience in the application process and the collection and submission of necessary requirements. The measure also mandates the issuance of passports using the latest tamper-proof and data management technologies. Senator Imee Marcos, who sponsored and co-authored the bill, previously said the measure will also set up a watchlist for people who have been denied passports or have had their passports canceled. “It would be wise to improve, as much as we can, the language involved during the bicameral conference and even thereafter,” she said. SB 2001 also targets the development of a new generation of passports aligned with international standards and streamlining the application process. It includes provisions for the non-appearance renewal of passports for senior citizens and Filipino migrant workers abroad at consular offices. The post Online passport renewal for migrant workers, seniors eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate to approve 17 bills up for final reading says Zubiri
The upper chamber will approve 17 bills that are set for the third and final reading, said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Saturday. Zubiri noted that four of these bills are part of the priority legislation of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC while 12 are local bills for the improvement of state universities and colleges. “In fact, on Monday, we will approve four measures that are part of our LEDAC commitments. And so far, we are on track to meeting our deadlines because, by the end of this year, we hope to approve all 20 LEDAC priority measures pending in the Senate,” the Senate President said. Zubiri noted that the Senate has approved a total of five bills on second reading during the previous week which includes Senate Bill 2001 or the New Philippine Passport Act; SB 1846 or the Internet Transactions Act of 2023; SB 2224 or the Ease of Paying Taxes Act; SB 2028 or An Act Recognizing the Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, and Centenarians; and SB 2233 or the Public Private Partnership Act. These bills, except for SB 2028, are LEDAC priority bills, he said. “These measures will be up for final reading on Monday. The deliberations on these bills have been exhaustive and I am confident that we did a good job of crafting these pieces of legislation, the efforts and expertise of the legislative staff in the Senate included,” he added. There are two bills pending President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s signature including the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act and the Local Government Unit Income Classification Act. The Philippine Salt Industry Development Act, meanwhile, has been approved by the Senate on final reading and is on standby for bicameral committee action. Zubiri said there are 12 local bills involving SUCs that are also up for approval on final reading. After the approval of the four LEDAC measures on Monday, the Senate will set the schedule for the bicameral conference committee hearing with their counterparts in the lower house, bringing the measures closer to enactment into law. Undergoing amendments before their approval on the second reading is the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers while the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act—which has been certified as urgent and has a high possibility of being approved in its third reading. Further, the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, Waste-to-Energy Bill, Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and National Service Training Program, as well as the National Disease Prevention Management Authority/Center for Disease Prevention Bill are all in the interpellation and are pending approval on second reading. Zubiri assured that the Senate will meet its commitment to approve on final reading the remaining 17 of the 20 LEDAC measures before the session adjourns in December of this year. The remaining LEDAC bills, he added, are all up for deliberations and discussions. ”With our pace in approving these LEDAC measures, I am confident that come December, all of our LEDAC commitments will have been met," Zubiri said. The post Senate to approve 17 bills up for final reading says Zubiri appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Martin vows budget passage
House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday pledged to fast-track the passage of the P5.768-trillion proposed national budget for fiscal year 2024 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. deemed the measure “urgent.” Marcos on Wednesday wrote the House a letter addressed to Romualdez seeking the immediate enactment of House Bill 8980 to “enable the government to effectively perform its constitutional mandate.” Marcos’ proposed national spending plan for next year under the National Expenditure Program is P500 billion, or 9.5 percent, higher than this year’s P5.268 trillion budget, which the House approved in barely six weeks last year in accordance with the President’s order. Next year’s P5.768 trillion, if passed, would be the highest budget ever approved by Congress. “We appreciate President Marcos’ leadership and his prioritization of the national budget. His decision to certify this crucial legislation as urgent reflects his unwavering commitment to the welfare and progress of our nation,” Romualdez said. The House chief added members of the House “have been diligently reviewing and fine-tuning the 2024 national budget to ensure that it addresses the pressing needs of our country and its people.” While there have been appeals to hasten the approval of the budgetary bill, Romualdez assured the public that it would undergo a transparent and thorough process that adheres to the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. “We will continue to uphold the principles of accountability, inclusivity, and efficiency throughout the budget deliberations,” the Speaker said. The post Martin vows budget passage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unhappy couples need fresh start — JV
Couples who are no longer happy in their marriage deserve a fresh start, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Thursday. In a press conference at the Senate, Ejercito explained why he voted in favor of Committee Report 124, which recommended the approval of Senate Bill 2443, or the proposed Dissolution of Marriage Act. “There are relationships that are already irreparable. We don’t want people to be miserable,” he said. He added: “The bottom line is people don’t deserve to be miserable. If it’s irreparable, we have to give them a second chance.” He, however, clarified that he purposely signed the committee report to discuss the bill more thoroughly in the plenary. “But, of course, we are a Christian nation. That’s why it is difficult to get an annulment. We’ll just hear it. Anyway, I signed it because I want more discussion about it on the floor,” he said. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva remained firm in his opposition to the bill. “Divorce is a big no for me! Yes, to making annulment accessible to the poor,” Villanueva said in a separate statement. The lawmaker, the son of Jesus is Lord Church founder and CIBAC Representative Eddie Villanueva, clarified that the approval of the proposed measure was only at the committee level. “The approval of the divorce bill or any other bills at the committee level is part of the legislative process. Every member of the Senate is free to conduct hearings that are referred to their respective committees,” he said. “But I just want to clarify that the nine senators who signed the committee report do not represent the majority of the Senate. Most of our colleagues signed it so that it can be discussed in the plenary,” he said. Committee Report 124 was prepared by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, headed by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Villanueva acknowledged that some relationships, particularly where violence is involved, should be ended, despite his firm opposition to the proposed measure. “This is where the annulment and the declaration of nullity of a marriage come in. We should instead hasten the process and make it more accessible to everyone, regardless of their status in life,” he said. Under the proposed measure, an absolute divorce is defined as “the legal termination of a marriage by a court in a legal proceeding, requiring a petition or complaint for divorce by one or both party/ies, which will have the effect of returning both parties to the status of being single for all legal intents and purposes, including the right to contract a subsequent marriage.” One of the grounds for filing for an absolute divorce is the commission of the crime of rape by the respondent-spouse against the petitioner-spouse, whether before or after the celebration of their marriage. The post Unhappy couples need fresh start — JV appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ejercito: Yes to divorce, ‘people don’t deserve to be miserable’
Married couples who are no longer happy with their marriage deserve a fresh start, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Thursday. In a press conference at the Senate, Ejercito explained why he voted in favor of Committee Report No. 124, which recommended the approval of Senate Bill No. 2443, or the proposed “Dissolution of Marriage Act”. “There are relationships that are already irreparable. We don’t want people to be miserable,” he said. “The bottom line is people don’t deserve to be miserable. If it’s irreparable, we have to give them a second chance,” he added. He, however, clarified that he purposely signed the committee report to allow the bill to be discussed more thoroughly in the plenary. “But of course, we are a Christian nation. That’s why it is difficult to have an annulment. We’ll just hear it. Anyway, I signed it because I want more discussion about it on the floor,” he said. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, a staunch critic of the Divorce bill, remained firm in his opposition to the bill. “Divorce is a big no for me! Yes to making annulment accessible to the poor,” Villanueva said in a separate statement. The lawmaker, the son of Jesus is Lord Church founder and CIBAC Representative Eddie Villanueva, clarified that the approval of the proposed measure is only at the committee level. “The approval of the Divorce bill or any other bills at the committee level is part of the legislative process. Every member of the Senate is free to conduct hearings that are referred to their respective committees,” he said. “But I just want to clarify that the nine senators who signed the committee report do not represent the majority of the Senate. Most of our colleagues signed it so that it can be discussed in the plenary,” he added. Committee Report No. 124 was prepared by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality headed by Senator Risa Hontiveros. Villanueva acknowledged that some relationships, particularly those involving violence, should end despite his firm opposition to the proposed measure. “This is where the annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage come in. We should instead hasten the process and make it more accessible for everyone, regardless of their status in life,” he said. Committee Report No. 124 is the consolidated version of the measure authored by the panel's chair Hontiveros, and Senators Raffy Tulfo, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos and Pia Cayetano. It was signed by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito and Senator Grace Poe. Under the proposed measure, absolute divorce is defined as “the legal termination of a marriage by a court in a legal proceeding, requiring a petition or complaint for divorce by one or both party/ies, which will have the effect of returning both parties to the status of single for all legal intents and purposes, including the right to contract a subsequent marriage.” One of the grounds for filing an absolute divorce is the commission of the crime of rape by the respondent-spouse against the petitioner-spouse, whether before or after the celebration of their marriage. The post Ejercito: Yes to divorce, ‘people don’t deserve to be miserable’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mark Villar pushes e-commerce protection vs. online scams
Senator Mark Villar on Wednesday stressed the need to legislate a measure that would provide safety nets to those involved in electronic commerce. Villar is the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 1846, also known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, which was approved by the Senate in its second reading following the period of individual amendments in the plenary session. "Through our successful collaboration with other senators, the amendments presented and adopted to the Internet Transactions Act ensure the utmost safeguard for both the consumers and merchants engaged in digital transactions,” Villar said. SB 1846 highlights the regulation of e-commerce transactions between digital platforms or e-marketplaces and consumers. The proposed measure also outlines the subsidiary liability of the online merchant or retailer, should it fail to fulfill its responsibilities, as laid down by the bill, to aggrieved consumers. Once enacted, Villar said the measure would protect e-commerce users and retailers against online scams. He said the SB 1846 “will be extremely helpful” not just for the regulation of e-commerce transactions but also for the welfare of consumers. "The success of the recent session on the amendments of the bill shows the dedication of our senators in ensuring that it passes into law. Hopefully, we see through the process successfully. Ito ay magiging malaking tulong para sa mga consumers, lalo na sa mga biktima ng mga e-commerce scams and fraud transactions,” Villar stressed. The bill is pending the approval of the Senate in its third and final reading. Once signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Villar said the measure will become the “regulatory framework on the legal repercussions of online scams and it will provide safety measures for both consumers and merchants participating in digital transactions.” The post Mark Villar pushes e-commerce protection vs. online scams appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go highlights significance of education in ensuring a brighter future
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, adopted son of CALABARZON, underscored the significance of education as a gateway to a brighter future during the 50th Commencement Exercises of Cavite State University - CCAT Rosario Campus on Tuesday, September 5. The graduation ceremony was also attended by other officials, such as Rosario Vice Mayor Bamm Gonzales and General Trias Mayor Jonjon Ferrer, among others. “Sa mga graduates, sa mga estudyante, kahit anong course po ang inyong kinuha, ishi-share ko lang po sa inyo ang natutunan ko sa buhay. Isa lang ang sikreto diyan, mahalin n’yo po ang inyong kapwa Pilipino, hinding-hindi po kayo magkakamali. Malay n’yo po pagdating ng panahon kayo rin po ang mamumuno sa bayan o magiging senador ng bansa. Totoo iyan. Kaya unahin ninyo ang interes ng kapwa natin Pilipino,” Go said in his speech. “Ako po hindi ko po akalain na magiging senador po ako. At nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo, sa Panginoon na dinala po niya ako rito. Kaya naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos,” he continued. Go emphasized how education can open doors to countless opportunities as he commended the graduates for their dedication and perseverance, recognizing their hard work throughout their academic journey. He reminded them that their graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibilities and challenges. “Ngayong araw, tayo'y nagkakaisa upang parangalan hindi lamang ang pagwawakas ng academic journey kundi ang pagsilang ng isang bagong yugto sa buhay ng 680 estudyante ng inyong unibersidad,” highlighted Go. “Half a century ago, this campus was founded with a dream to cultivate abilities and expertise in the realms of Industrial Technology, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Education. Now, that dream persists, and I am both honored and humbled to be part of this milestone commencement ceremony,” he continued. The senator also expressed his gratitude to the school officials, including University President Dr. Hernando Robles, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ma. Agnes Nuestro, Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Mary Jane Tepora, Vice President for Business and Resource Generation Ms. Lolita Herrera, and Campus Administrator Dr. Lauro Pascua, among others. “To the committed University Administrative Council, our distinguished campus leaders, honored deans, and the lively academic community that envelops us, I offer my sincere thanks for your unwavering dedication to excellence,” Go highlighted. “To the parents and guardians, your affection and encouragement have been the pillars of these graduates' achievements. Your faith in them has ignited their resolve, and today, we revel in your victory as well,” he added. In his speech, Go took the opportunity to discuss his legislative efforts aimed at fortifying the education sector. He expressed his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Filipinos through various initiatives. SBN 1359 or the "No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act," was co-authored and co-sponsored by Go and received approval on the third and final reading in March. This proposed legislation aims to put an end to the practice of denying students access to examinations or other educational assessments due to unpaid tuition or school fees. The bill ensures that no student's education is compromised due to financial constraints. In a bid to enhance access to tertiary education, Go co-authored and co-sponsored SBN 1360. This bill seeks to expand the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) by amending Republic Act No. 10931, known as the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act. By broadening the reach of TES, Go expressed his confidence that more underprivileged students will have the opportunity to pursue higher education. In times of disasters and emergencies, students facing financial hardships often find it challenging to repay loans. To address this concern, Go introduced SBN 1864, known as the "Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act." This proposed measure offers relief to students who have taken out loans but are unable to meet their repayment obligations due to unforeseen circumstances. It underscores the importance of compassion and support during trying times. Go also earlier authored and co-sponsored RA 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020 as part of his vision to ensure promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting a quality education. NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. “To the graduates, remember that your education is not merely a ladder for personal success; it is a potent tool for uplifting our community and the broader society. Wield it with wisdom, and never lose sight of the values and principles that have been so lovingly instilled in you,” Go said. “As I draw to a close, I leave you with a philosophy that has steered me throughout my existence: ‘Ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang isang karapatan, kundi isang tungkulin na may kalakip na responsibilidad.’ Mabuhay ang Cavite State University – CCAT Rosario Campus! Mabuhay ang mga bagong graduates,” the senator concluded. Go also provided tokens to students who graduated with honors. He encouraged them to use their education to serve their community and the country. The post Bong Go highlights significance of education in ensuring a brighter future appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»